Generating Mental Stress through 3D Game

The present article investigated the influence of mental stress on heart rate variability (HRV). The mental stress is generated through a newly created 3D game with high extremeness. The modelling of the main components of the game is done in two ways: automatically (algorithmically) using the Java programming language and manually (digitally) using Blender, the two methods can be combined by modeling with geometric objects, such as a regular polygon, a prism, pyramid and others. The controlled stress scenario can be created by appropriately planning graphic objects and elements, such as material and texture, including movement dynamics. Rapid and unexpected movements of game objects, as well as visual and sound effects, play a key role in generating mental stress and can significantly affect HRV. The HRV measurement methodology includes the following three phases: a preliminary phase, when baseline HRV levels are measured before the start of the game; the game phase-measurement of HRV during the game; and the post-game phase-measurements after the game. HRV analysis includes determining the values of the following parameters in the time and frequency domains: SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF and LF/HF ratio. The results of the HRV analysis show that stress significantly impacts HRV and leads to its decrease, which is expressed in a significant decrease in SDNN and RMSSD, as well as an increase in the LF/HF ratio during a stressful situation. Investigating these changes is important for understanding the physiological functions of mental stress and may help develop mechanisms to manage it to improve human health.